A/N: I'm sorry for updating so long but a black hole filled with projects, term paper and homework swallowed me for the past couple of weeks but this was a little longer to hopefully make up for things.
Thank you so much for the reviews, alerts and favorites. It really means a lot and hopefully during the winter break I can start posting more fanfics after this. I don't know what else to do with this so the next one will probably be the epilogue.
Enjoy the new episode of the mentalist tonight! I know I will since I've been craving for it the last 3 weeks!
Disclaimer: I was bombed and hit my head so now I have amnesia and now own the Mentalist. Right! No…
"Becky's really lucky to have you Jane. I'm happy for the both of you and I hope you know that."
Jane was stunned. He didn't expect Lisbon to say those words accompanied by the sincerity that emanated from her jaded eyes and the hurt that was lurking around. Has she been thinking about this the whole night last night and today? That explains the looks. I guess it wasn't just a little jealousy. I should've just told her.
"Thanks but you have it all wrong." He paused, took a breath and supplied, "I'm in love with somebody else."
Somebody else? How many girlfriends do I have to meet? Damn you Patrick Jane! Lisbon was now fighting back tears to never dare drop. She wanted to snap at him and tell him how she really felt about him for years. She wanted to lay it all out in the table thinking it might help her feel a little lighter and hoping that he would reciprocate her feelings. Stupid letter! I should've never showed up to dinner last night! This is all a big stupid mistake. She kept chastising herself, forgetting that Jane was right beside her and was now studying her closely.
He really needed to confess. He could see that he was hurting her because she thought of another woman. Oh! If only it weren't so sweet watching you so jealous! You have no idea how adorable you are. That was when Patrick Jane decided to drop all the pretences and tell her the whole truth because he couldn't stand hurting the petite woman any second longer. He knew he'd caused her so much pain in the past but it didn't look as bad as this.
Jane reached for her tiny hands and ran his thumbs across her knuckles to get her attention. She then turned to face him, her emerald eyes were watery. He brought her hands to his lips and kissed both of them.
"I've been in love with her for years now and I'm finally ready to move on with her but I don't know if she'll accept me."
All the hurt aside she asked, "Why wouldn't she accept you Jane?"
"Because I've constantly hurt her in the past and I'm hurting her now." He looked down at their hands and interlaced them like they have been for the most time this morning and continued his confession. His smug smile was now sparkling, taking over his face, "You see, she thinks I'm dating this gorgeous blond friend who could pass for a supermodel-" as he said those words, Lisbon's eyes grew wider almost as wide as plates when she realized he was referring to her. "Yes Teresa, It's you I'm in love with."
"What the hell Jane?" her face was flowing with emotions; anger, happiness, more anger and love.
"Well, that's not the reply I've been hoping for. I was thinking more in the lines of 'I love you too Patrick.'" he said trying to imitate her.
"You incorrigible bastard!" she reprimanded but the tone never conveyed the same effect. They temporary anger was now gone as the whole thing finally sank in and a conniving idea inspired her thoughts and suddenly leaned her forehead against Jane.
Jane inched in to close the remaining gap between them and Lisbon carefully placed both of her tiny hands against Jane's toned chest but before he could feel her lips against her, Teresa Lisbon gave him a little shove and before he knew it, he, Patrick Jane was taking his chances with the fifteen feet drop from the spot on the rock he was sitting on.
JISBON*JISBON*JISBON*JISBON*JISBON
Sitting in the emergency room, Jane exclaimed for the hundredth time, "Ow! Easy there Doctor Saunders!"
Patrick Jane wasn't keen on visiting hospitals and being a patient was much more unappealing to him but he knew that someone in the room enjoyed watching with twitch under the doctor's hands. One Special Agent Teresa Lisbon was around in the same room clad with a smirk that could stand against his own.
"I'm almost done Mr. Jane. Just be still for a few more moments and I'll be off of your hair." The young doctor was irritated now. Spending only fifteen minutes with Jane, Lisbon was sure he would want to rip his head bald.
A few more minutes passed and the doctor finally finished gluing the open wound on Jane's forehead and left them alone after leaving Jane his prescription for more pain medication.
Stepping out of the corner of the room, Lisbon walked closer to the bed Jane was currently sitting on. "I'm still not apologizing for that," pointing at the now closed wound, "You deserve it." She said stubbornly but the sympathy in her voice cannot be hidden because she really was worried when he fell from the rock he was sitting on earlier. Well, fell wasn't exactly the perfect word to describe what actually happened.
"I know but did you really have to push me off?"
"Of course, how could you let me go through with that?"
He held out his hand and she took it without hesitation. He then pulled her closer only inches away from him and she surprised him again by closing the gap between them, no pushing this time as her arms snaked around his neck and indulge her hands in his soft blond curls. The kiss started out slow and passionate as he marveled at how delicate her lips felt against his, taking in all the details like he always wanted to for the past decade. She let out a gratified moan and he took advantage of her slightly parted lips granting him entrance to her mouth. The slow kiss became fast and hungry in a matter of seconds and the two broke it off as breathing became necessary. They were both panting now but they still stayed close and she whispered, "I love you too Patrick."
Patrick Jane then hopped off the bed with a victorious grin on his face and gave Lisbon a peck on the lips. Jane was now pulling Lisbon out the door when he let something slip. "Let's get you home and dolled up for the Rigsby's tonight."
She immediately stopped and snapped her head up at him. "How did you know the Rigsby's are in town tonight?"
"Lucky guess?" He said nonchalantly and he smiled his knee-weakening smile at her trying to avoid the current topic.
Lisbon placed both hands on her hip and started tapping her foot against the hospital floor. "Uh uh!" she shook her head disapprovingly and continued, "You're not smiling your way out of this. What are you not telling me?" she demanded.
"But you love this smile." He said cheekily and he leaned down to kiss her. She didn't want to give in to him but the feel of his lips against hers was just so great that she caved and returned his kiss with equal fervor. Remembering where they were, Lisbon broke off the kiss and began chastising Jane. "Not here and you have some explaining to do!"
JISBON*JISBON*JISBON*JISBON*JISBON
"Do you want in cash or check?" Rigsby asked the man on the phone.
"I know, I know. Quit gloating! Just tell Elise I said 'hi'." There was a slight pause before he said, "I will. See you soon!" and placed his phone in his pocket.
"So, how much money do you owe Cho?" Grace asked.
"A hundred for the two being together, another hundred for Jane admitting it to Lisbon and the last hundred is for her not killing him yet."
"Wayne!" she couldn't help but laugh. They've made this bet years ago and it wasn't until now that they could finally collect and pay certain debts. Little did her husband know that the money he's handing Cho is basically going to her because he lost to some bets himself. Seeing how she and Lisbon has gotten so close the past two years gave her the advantage. "When is he coming?"
"He's coming to dinner tonight but it's a surprise so act like you didn't know and he wants to catch the new couple off guard." He said sheepishly.
"I'll share you my dessert if Jane finds out before Cho even set foot in this place. Lisbon will just be a little shock but wouldn't really pay that much attention because of Jane." She offered confidently.
"Nope, as tempting as that sound, I'm with you on this. It's Jane for heaven's sake; he knows the palm of your hands without seeing it!"
"Well, speak of the devil." Grace caught what sparked her husband's interest and there walked in her former though-as-nails boss who was now her best friend holding hands with their ex gorgeous-pain-in-the-ass consultant, both smiling like idiots. Finally! She thought and whispered something about collecting a few more debts from the organized crime.
For the first time in almost a year, Lisbon looked genuinely happy and at ease. Grace couldn't really say relax because the man can totally drive her crazy. Spending time with Lisbon when he was away wasn't just complying with his request; it gave them the reason to finally bond outside the CBI walls without being their usual boss-rookie relationship. They've actually became friends then eventually best friends. She felt a little guilty for not telling her that Jane was in on some plans to cheer Lisbon up. Taking her to lunch, shopping and the secretly enjoyed spa days was all his ideas. The man was a genius! He knew when she needed pampering even when he was on the other side of the country and the romantic in her just said 'yes' to his plans and seeing Lisbon so happy now, it was all worth it.
The Rigsby's also knew about selling his house because they were present as the papers were signed to the new owners. Grace then helped Jane look for an apartment when she didn't spend her time with Lisbon when she and Wayne were in town. They kept his secrets until the time came when he would finally come back from his little mourning cave and tell her the truth about the whole damn thing.
Just as their plates were being cleared away for deserts, Wayne asked what happened to his friend's forehead.
"I uh…" the blond look to his side before continuing, "I fell off a rock."
"Damn!" a familiar voice interrupted their little talk and all four heads turned and followed where the asian man stood not 5ft from their table. "I guess I'm gonna be a little short." He stated, looking directly at Grace and added, "She did that." Indicating at the little gash adorning Jane's forehead.
